Post-auger.



PATBNTED MAY 12, 1908.

.J. D, SANFORD.

POST AUG-ER. APPLIUATION FILED min. 14, 1902.

H0 MODEL.

nil Nil B S S E N h W scan 5 warns 00 wow umo Patented May 12, 1903.

FFICE.

:ATENT JAMES DOBBS SANFORD, OF LOMETA, TEXAS.

POST-AVUGER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 727,847, dated May 12, 1903. Application filed June 14, 1902. Serial No. 111,604. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern: I

Be it known that 1, JAMES DOBBS SANFORD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lometa, in the county of Lampasas and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Post-Angers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to post-angers, and has for its object to provide a device of the class described which will possess points of advantage in convenience, simplicity, inexpensiveness, effectiveness, andvgeneral efficiency.

Another object of the invention is to-provide a device of the class described which can be operated with ease in a hard or diflicult soil, such as is found where the land is stifi or in hard-trodden trails.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the class described in which the edges of the cutting-blades incline around each other, so as to cause the dirt removed in the operation of the auger to pass to the inside or toward the center of said blades.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the class described which is provided with plates having substantially parallel vertical sides and curved in conformity with the upper portion of the cuttingblades and which form a pocket to receive the dirt removed by the cutting-blades.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the class described in which the blades are arranged at the lower end of a pair of tongs one of whose shanks is provided at its upper end with a handle having means for locking the other shank when the'device is in operative position and in which the cutting-blades are provided with an interlocking portion which cooperates with the handlelock in preventing the blades being pressed apart when operating the device.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the class described in which the blades are arranged at the lower end of a pair of tongs, so that when a certain portion of dirt has been cut away the device may be withdrawn from the hole and the, tongs opened, permitting the dirt to fall in the required spot.

In the drawings, Figure l is a side elevation of a post-auger embodying my improveinents and showing the same in inoperative position in'broken lines. Fig. 2 is a sectional view on the line a; as, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a detail view of the stop, showing parts broken away and parts in section.

Corresponding parts in all the figures are denoted by the same reference characters.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates a pair of tongs having shanks 2, pivoted intermediately of their length and of which the lower parts are bent apart below the pivotal point and then extended parallel to each other and then inclined toward each other, so that the inclined portion when the device is in operative position forms a triangle. A handle 3 is secured at the top of one of the shanks 2 in any suitable manner, herein .shown as by forming an eye 2 at the top of the shank 2- and inserting the handle 3 through such eye and securing it therein by a rivet 3 passing transversely through the walls of the eye 2*. The organization of the parts is such that when the tongs are closed the upper end of the handleless shank 2 will slide along the side of the handle 3, and means are provided to lock the upper portion of such handleless shank 2 in closed position. Such means are here shown as a stop 3* let into 'the handle 3 and having an inclined upper surface and a slight vertical shoulder-rising above the handle 3 at the end toward the eye 2.

Each shank 2 is provided at its lower ends with means for cutting holes in the earth'to receive fence-posts, telephone or telegraph poles, and similar objects and to convey the earth cut awayin makingsuch holes into the interiorof such means and between the lower ends of the shanks 2. Such means in the form herein shown consists of cutters 4, having straight cutting edges and respectively securedangularly of each other when the auger is in operative form on the inclined lower portion 2 of the shanks 2, which cutters 4 are substantiallytriangularwith a'rather blunt apex and curved so that they together form; a substantially cone-shaped cutting member at the lower end of the tongs 1 when the same are closed, and the opposite end of each of said cutters 4 overlaps the adjacent edge of the corresponding cutter 4, the space between the overlapping edges being varied'in width,

according to whether it is desired to take much or little dirt in the process of cutting. The apexes of the cutters 4: are slightly bent and sharpened to form cutting-points i, and the adjacent edges of the cutters 4: are provided adjacent to such points 4 with slightlyprojecting teats 4 which are adapted to in terlock when the device is in operative position and cooperate with the stop 3", to prevent the edges of the cutters 4 from being forced apart in the cutting operation. Each of the cutters extends between the intersection of the planes of the angle. Means are arranged above the plates 4 to form substantially a pocket to receive the dirt as it passes above the plates 4. Such means 5 are here shown as two inwardly-curved plates,substantially rectangu lar, with rounded corners and respectively secured to the parts 2 of the lower parts of the shanks 2 and bent to correspond substantially with the upper edge of the cutters 4 and completing the formation of substantially a cylindrical chamber of slightly smaller exterior diameter than the upper edges of the plates 4. By this organization it is evident that when in operation the outer walls of the plates 5 will not contact with the walls of the hole to cause friction, while the loose dirtcontained in such pocket and within the cutters 4 add weight to the auger to force it into the ground.

The operation and advantages of the invention will be readily understood and appreciated. The tongs being closed, the upper end of the handleless shank resting against the stop 3 and projecting slightly above the handle 3 and the teats 4 interlocked, the device is in condition for use. The operator now places it upon the ground and seizing the handle proceeds to turn it from left to right. The formation of the plates 4 causes the auger to enter the earth with ease and the space between the edges of the plates 4. The earth enters the interior of the plates 4 and rises into the pocket formed by the plates 5. When sufficient earth has been removed, the operator lifts the auger from the hole and pressing the projecting upper part of the handleless shank 2 with his thumb readily releases it from the stop 3 and opens the tongs 1 to dump the dirt wherever desired. He then closes the tongs 1, again slipping the upper end of the handleless shank 1 behind the stop 3', and the device is ready to drop into the hole for work again.

The device works perfectly and can be made in difierent sizes, and the cutting-blades may be made adjustable to suit the purpose for which the hole is desired.

I do not desire to be understood as limiting myself to the details of construction and arrangement as herein described and illustrated, as it is manifest that variations and modifications may be made in the features of construction and arrangement in the adaptation of the device to various conditions of use without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention and improvements. I therefore reserve the right to all such variation and modification as properly fall within the scope of my invention and the terms of the following claims.

Having thus described my invention, 1 claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. A post-auger comprising tongs, the separate shanks whereof cross each other and are pivoted intermediately of their ends; cutters, each of which has a straight cutting edge, and is attached to the lower end part of one of such separate shanks, and is arranged angularly of the other cutter when the anger is in an operative form; said cutters extending beyond the intersection of the planes of the angle; and inwardly-curved plates respectively attached to the shanks and adjacent to the cutters, substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. A post-auger comprising tongs, the separate shanks whereof cross each other and are pivoted intermediately of their ends; cutters, each of which has a straight cutting edge, and is attached to the lower end part of one of such separate shanks, and is arranged angularly of the other cutter when the anger is in an operative form; said cutters extending beyond the intersection of the planes of the angle; and means attached to the shanks for retaining in operative form, said shanks and the cutters which are respectively attached thereto.

3. A post-auger comprising tongs, the separate shanks whereof cross each other and are pivoted intermediately of their ends; cutters, each of which has a straight cutting edge, and is attached to the lower end part of one of such separate shanks, and is arranged angularly of the other cutter when the anger is in an operative form; said cutters extending beyond the intersection of the planes of the angle; means attached to the shanks for retaining in operative form, said shanks and the cutters which are respectively attached thereto; and inwardly-curved plates respectively attached to the shanks and adjacent to the cutters, substantially as and for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name in the presence of the subscribing witnesses.

JAMES DOBBS SANFORD.

Witnesses:

L. N. SANFORD, M. E. MILLICAN. 

